Orissa High Court
Susanta Pradhan @ vs State Of Odisha & Anr on 23 February, 2026
Author: Sanjeeb K Panigrahi
Bench: Sanjeeb K Panigrahi
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK
CRLA No.43 of 2026
Susanta Pradhan @
Krushna Pradhan .... Appellant(s)
Mr. Jugala Kishore Panda, Adv.
Ms. Swagatika Panda, Adv.
-versus-
State of Odisha & Anr. .... Respondent(s)
Mr. Sonak Mishra, ASC
CORAM:
HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE SANJEEB K PANIGRAHI
ORDER
Order No. 23.02.2026 02. I.A. No.106 of 2026
1. This matter is taken up through hybrid arrangement.
2. This is an application under Section 389 of Cr.P.C. for grant of bail.
3. Heard.
4. Perused the impugned judgment.
5. The Appellant has been convicted for the offences punishable under Sections 10/12 of the POCSO Act and sentenced to undergo R.I. for a period of five years and to Signature Not Verified pay a fine of Rs.3,000/- (rupees three thousand), in default, Digitally Signed Signed by: SIPUN BEHERA Designation: Senior Stenographer to undergo R.I. for a further period of three months for the Reason: Authentication Location: HIGH COURT OF ORISSA, CUTTACK Date: 24-Feb-2026 10:29:44 offence under Section 10 of the POCSO Act and further sentenced to undergo R.I. for a period of three years and to pay a fine of Rs.2,000/- (rupees two thousand), in default, to Page 1 of 3 undergo R.I. for a further period of two months for the offence under Section 12 of the POCSO Act and no separate sentence has been awarded for the offence under Section 75 of BNS keeping in view the Section 42 of the POCOS Act by the learned Addl. Sessions Judge -cum- Special Court under POCSO Act, Berhampur, Ganjam vide judgment and order dated 02.12.2025 passed in G.R. Case No.177 of 2024/T.R No.17 of 2025.
6. Learned counsel for the Appellant submits that the Appellant was on bail during the course of trial and he has not misutized the liberty granted by the Court and out of five years of substantive sentence imposed on him, he has remained in judicial custody for about more than one year. Hence, the bail application of the Appellant may be favourably considered.
7. Learned counsel for the State, on the other hand, opposed the prayer for bail.
8. Considering the submissions made on behalf of the learned counsel for the respective parties and the averments taken in the I.A., this Court is inclined to release the Appellant on interim bail for a period of 45 days from the date of his actual release from the custody in connection with the above noted case by the learned Court in seisin over the matter on such terms and conditions as deemed just and proper with further conditions that he will Page 2 of 3 positively surrender before the learned Court in seisin over the matter on the date as would be so directed. The Appellant is also directed not to threaten the victim or her family members in any manner.
9. This I.A. is, accordingly, disposed of. CRLA No.43 of 2026
10. List this matter on 15th April, 2026 for final hearing.
11. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per Rules.
12. Both the parties are directed to file their respective written notes of submissions on or before the next date of listing of this matter.
13. The Registry shall prepare the paper book in the meantime.
(Dr. Sanjeeb K Panigrahi) Judge Sipun Page 3 of 3